Sabitha summoned by CBI court

Prison authorities directed to produce Jagan on June 7

• 11 others directed to appear before courtA
• Accepts CBI contention that sanction for prosecution not needed
• Named accused No. 4, Sabitha is to explain role in Jagan's case
• She is accused of granting limestone mines to a firm, abusing her position

Hyderabad : The Principal Special Court for CBI cases on Monday issued summons to Home Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy, directing her to appear before it on June 7 in connection with the disproportionate assets case registered against Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. Sabitha has been named as the accused No. 4 in the case.A

Accepting the contention of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that sanction for prosecution of Sabitha was not required, the court took cognizance of the offences punishable under sections 120-B r/w 420, 420, 409 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 13(1) (c) & (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.A The court also issued production warrant against Jagan, directing the prison authorities to produce him in person before the court on June 7. Further, the court issued summons to 11 other accused including IAS officer Y Srilakshmi and Dalmia Cements Managing Director Puneet Dalmia.

The court gave CC (Calender Case) No. 12 of 2013 to the charge-sheet. The CBI had filed the charge-sheet, fifth in the series in the case, on April 8 and on April 9, and sought issue of summons to all the accused. The CBI cited 53 documents and 46 witnesses in the charge-sheet.

The charge-sheet alleged that Jagan influenced his late father and Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to extend undue favours to Dalmia Cements. In return, Dalmia Cements allegedly paid Rs 95 crore as bribe by way of investing the money in the group companies floated by Jagan.

The charge-sheet said Sabitha, who was then Minister for Mines and Geology, accorded final approval for the grant of limestone mining licence over an area of 407.05 hectares at Thallamanchipatnam and Nawabpet villages in Mylavaram Mandal of Kadapa district in favour of Jaya Minerals in violation of mining rules in furtherance of criminal conspiracy and abusing her official position.

As a quid-pro-quo for receiving undue benefit from the government in the form of mining lease under deception, Puneet Dalmia executed share subscription agreement with Jagan for making investments in the latter's cement company Raghuram Cements.

The accused in the fifth charge-sheet include Jagan, V Vijay Sai Reddy, Dalmia Cements managing director Puneet Dalmia, Sabitha Indra Reddy, IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, former mining official V D Rajagopal, Eswar Cements managing director Sajjala Diwakar Reddy, Dalmia Group officials Sanjay S Mitra, Neel Kamal Beri, Joy Deep Basu, Raghuram Cements represented by Jagan, Dalmia Cements represented by Puneet Dalmia and Eswar Cements represented by Diwakar Reddy.